George f



(No Model.)

G. F. WOODMAN. STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS.

No. 554,045. A Patented Feb. 4, 1896.

NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. OODMAN, OF NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOJAMES F. OARENS, OF SAME PLACE. 4

STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,045, dated February4., 1896.

Application filed October 2 8, 1 8 9 5.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. WooDMAN, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSteering Apparatus-for Ships, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of devices for manipulating and guiding thetiller-ropes, and other improvements, which will be hereinafterspecified, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

It is well known that in the ordinary steering apparatus thetiller-ropes are liable to jump and foul each other upon thesteeringwheel drum.

My improvement consists in an attachment upon the drum as ordinarilyconstructed which completely removes any danger from this source.

Referring to the drawings, Figure lis a perspective view of an ordinarysteering-wheel and drum provided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is acentral longitudinal sectional view of the sleeve.

Like numerals and letters of reference indicate like parts in both thefigures of the drawings.

In Fig. 1 the wheeL-drum 1 is journaled in its supports 2 and 3 andprovided with the usual steering or pilot wheel 1. The ropes 5 and 6 arecoiled in opposite directions about the drum 1, commencing respectivelyat points near the supports 2 and 3 and being wound toward the center ofthe drum. Aloose sleeve 7 is mounted on the drum 1 between the ropes 5and 6 and is adapted to move easily upon the drum, being propelled ineither direction Serial No. 567,078. (No model.)

by the rope being wound on. It will thus be seen that this sleeve keepsthe ropes in proper position and at a uniform distance apart andentirely prevents them from jumping and fouling each other.

In Fig. 2 I show a central longitudinal section of the sleeve 7.

I preferably construct the sleeve with slightly-beveled edges, makingthe angle A slightly obtuse. This prevents the rope from rubbing andunnecessary wearing against the upper edges of the sleeve.

In a steering device constructed in accordance with my invention a muchshorter drum maybe used than formerly, as in my improved device the onlypart of the drum not occupied by the ropes at any time is the narrowportion covered by the sleeve, while by the other methods it isnecessary to allow a much greater idle space on account of the liabilityof the ropes to foul. This shortening of the length of the drum is animportant improve ment, as it economizes space in the pilothouse.

Having described my invention, .what I claim is-- In a steering device,the combination with a winding drum, of ropes coiled in oppositedirections upon said drum, and a sleeve mounted upon said drum, slidingbetween and operated by said coils.

Signed at Newburyport, in the county of Essex and State ofMassachusetts, this 17th day of October, A. D. 1895.

GEORGE E. WOODMAN.

Witnesses:

l\/IARLON E. GREENE, LoUIs E. GREENE.

